Be heard in November: Take part in National Voter Registration Day

By Carrie Mihalcik / current.com / @CDMihalcik

Still haven't gotten around to registering to vote? Well, now is the time — today is National Voter Registration Day.

Nearly 6 million Americans didn't vote in the 2008 presidential election because they didn't know how to register to vote or they missed their state's registration deadline, according to U.S. Census data. This year more than 1,000 organizations are coming together on September 25 to make sure every American has the opportunity to vote.

Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.) and Advancement Project's Penda Hair join "Viewpoint" host Eliot Spitzer to discuss attempts to prevent 10 million eligible Latinos from voting.

Here's how you can participate in National Voter Registration Day:

Head to GottaVote to register to vote in your state. You'll also be given information on early voting, which has already started in some states, and voting on Election Day. You can also register to vote at Rock the Vote and Long Distance Voter or you can use the National Mail Voter Registration Form.

If you'd prefer not to register online and for people you know who don't have access to a computer, you can find a voter registration event near you. Just enter your zip code.

Going to be out of the country on Election Day? Get information about absentee voting here.

Don't miss the deadline to register to vote! The deadline for registering to vote varies from state to state. Check the deadline for your state here.

Already registered? Sign up anyway to receive information about candidates and about issues on the ballot as well as reminders to head to the polls on Election Day. You can also verify your voter registration to make sure you won't run into any issues on Election Day.

Go ahead, vote early! Thirty-two states and the District of Columbia offer "no excuse" early voting, which means you can vote when it's convenient for you.

Jennifer Granholm urges progressives to "get your
absentee ballot now, right now!"

Find your polling place. Know where you're going on November 6 and what time the polls close in your state.

Spread the word! Make it your responsibility to get friends and family registered to vote. Remind them to vote on Election Day and offer to help get them to their polling place.

Still have questions? Don't be afraid to contact your state election office. You can find contact information for all 50 states here.